There is little more unsettling than flipping on the lights and seeing cockroaches scatter across the floor. But, beyond unsettling, did you know that cockroaches can be dangerous as well? That’s why you must deal with any cockroach infestation in your home immediately. In addition to this, you should also know some prevention tips and techniques to reduce your risk of future infestations. Don’t let cockroaches take over your home. Act today.
Identifying Common Area Cockroaches
While the appearance of cockroaches varies from species to species, they all have commonalities. For instance, all cockroaches have long, flattened, oval-shaped bodies, six legs covered in spines, and long antennae emanating from their heads.
Here in Pompano Beach, you will most likely be dealing with one of four species of cockroach: the American cockroach, the brown-banded cockroach, the Florida wood cockroach, or the German cockroach.
American cockroaches can grow up to 2 inches long, making them the largest species of cockroach in Florida. They are mahogany in color and feature a yellow figure-eight marking on their heads. Also, thanks to their fully-developed wings, American cockroaches can fly.
Brown-banded cockroaches have brown colored bodies. They get their name from the two dark bands visible on their bodies when their wings are closed.
Florida wood cockroaches are a reddish-brown to black color. They are large, wingless, and slow-moving. Though they prefer the outdoors, you may still find them living around the perimeter of buildings.
German cockroaches are dark brown and feature parallel bands running along their thoraxes. These common home invaders move quickly, and despite having fully-developed wings, are incapable of flight.
Why Cockroaches Are Dangerous?
While cockroaches may vary in appearance from species to species, one thing that is true for all is that they could pose health threats to you and your family if left unchecked. That is because cockroaches, as they scurry around, pick up a myriad of human pathogens, bacteria, and parasites on their bodies. They can then transfer these to the various surfaces in your home, contaminating your countertops and even food without you ever noticing. To make matters worse, cockroaches are also known to transmit diseases such as E. Coli and salmonella.
And it doesn’t stop there. Cockroaches can trigger asthma attacks, aggravate allergies, and are also known to ruin books, clothing, and furniture via their excrement and destructive chewing habits. It’s safe to say there are countless reasons for you to want to keep cockroaches out of your home.
How To Prevent Cockroaches?
When it comes to preventing cockroaches in your Boca Raton area home, the goal is to limit their entry points and take away any potential food sources. The best ways to accomplish these tasks are to:
Create a barrier between the foundation of your home and any mulch beds with gravel or stones.
Seal any cracks or openings in the foundation, roof, or exterior walls of your home.
Store all trash in bins with tight-fitting lids.
Store food (including pet food) in containers with tight-fitting lids.
Keep countertops and floors free of food debris.
Clean any spills immediately.
Take out the trash regularly.
Keep dirty dishes from piling up in your sink.
If you can accomplish these prevention techniques, you should be able to limit your exposure to future cockroach infestations.
The Best Way To Keep Your Home Safe From Cockroaches
The best way to keep your home safe from cockroaches is by calling the professionals at Pest-Aside. Here at Pest-Aside, we’ll send a trained pest professional to eliminate any existing cockroach infestation. Then, they will work with you to secure your home from any future infestations. Don’t put you and your family’s health at risk. Contact us today for the best pest control in Boca Raton!